In choosing what to invest in, people consider what would be more reassuring and come with the fewest risks. After all, investments are usually made for long-term benefits. What has increasingly trended in the industry is the electric vehicle.
“Environmentally-friendly, sleek design, functional, and durable.”
EV motors aren’t far from what we’re accustomed to in transportation. In fact, they’re much simpler, having only one component that functions as the internal combustion engine compared to dozens attached in normal gas cars.
But, how long do EV cars last?
Manufactured with Durability in Mind
Manufacturers have ensured the durability of e-vehicles, taking multiple considerations into account, some of which are overlooked by the end-users. Surprisingly, despite the more superficial modifications of EV motors, they ended with an operational and long-lasting product that is often even comparable to high-tier Tesla vehicles.
Operating at a temperature of 104ºF coupled with permanent magnet synchronous motors, the electrics are conditioned to meet sudden workload changes. Fluctuations may revolve around input power, humidity, temperature, and improper installations.
Furthermore, EV motors are geared with an operational electrical system covering the current transients, harmonics, and voltage imbalances of the vehicle for better output and endurance. The electrical system is usually high voltage, ranging from 100 to 600 volts. Such features push the electric car motor life expectancy up to 15 to 20 years (or higher) with a 400,000+ mile range (under normal operating conditions).
Still, EV motors are not exempt from internal and external factors adding up to the potential for premature breakdowns, some of which are the following:
Electrical Overload
Excess current flow is likely due to low voltage (in an attempt to maintain torque). If it spikes above the safety specifications, it may cause motor failure.
Overheating
The elevation of the electric motor’s temperature may be caused by the lack of a quality power supply or the environment’s present conditions, leading to malfunctions.
Pollution
The presence of external particles pooled from the environment’s air-borne chemicals, dirt, and molecules inside the electrics engine can decay the vehicle’s bearings. This degradation often results in imbalance.
Vibrations
Pollution ends up worsening the vehicle’s vibrations, which upsets an otherwise smooth ride. Other contributing factors include misalignment, corrosion, and unstable surface.
Low Resistance
Low resistance results in incorrect isolation between the motor conductors, making an entrance for leakages and short circuits. It’s likely caused by the decline of quality in winding insulation.
Given the predetermined factors of premature breakdown, it can be seen that electric vehicles are assembled in line with the utmost consideration to varying conditions. EV manufacturers have rigorously run the vehicles through safety tests to assure their compliance with international and domestic baselines.
What’s fascinating is this — electric vehicles are built to have a lower center of gravity than the standard one. This helps the vehicle to be more stable.
EVs Maintenance
There are two main types of electric vehicles: all-electric vehicles (AEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). Differing from technological components, the two EVs don’t use a similar maintenance approach. However, both entertain a much simpler treatment in comparison to the prevalent gas cars.
AEVs need less maintenance than conventional ones. Aside from requiring less fluid to get their parts moving, e-vehicles’ features include:
- Relatively fewer parts than those of gas cars
- Regenerative braking (lower brake wear than the conventional vehicles)
- All components, from the EV motor, battery, and other parts, demanding a far less rigorous maintenance schedule
Meanwhile, PHEVs require the same maintenance treatment as conventional vehicles, as they run on gasoline engines.
If you’re the kind of person that checks the battery life of the vehicle first, then don’t get your hopes too high. EVs’ advanced batteries have a limited number of cycles (the charge and discharge). The lifespan varies according to the electric car motor life expectancy. Some batteries are made just strong enough to accommodate the usage life of the EV.
However, worry not because battery change for this advanced vehicle does not cost too much. Moreover, these prices are expected to decline while the technology and production volume continue to improve and spike.
If you need help from a Tesla auto body repair in Clearwater, FL, call us at Northwest Collision Center.
